By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile embarks on a visit to the city of Juba, in the Republic of South Sudan from 8 October to 9 October 2025 under the capacity of Presidential Special Envoy in order to assess the implementation of Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (RARCRSS). 

Deputy President Mashatile has expressed that his working visit to South Sudan is meant to consolidate the implementation of a peace process in order to ensure a democratic end to the transitional period.

Keith Khoza who is currently serving as Acting Spokesperson for the Deputy President has stated that due to the long standing relationship between South Africa and South Sudan that dates back to the apartheid struggle, there is a sense of duty that South Africa feels towards the people of South Sudan to ensure that RARCRSS gets implemented. 

“In this regard, the Deputy President will hold Primary Consultations with his excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardi, and key signatories to the Revitalised Agreement as well as other stakeholders, to find lasting peace, development, and stability for the people of South Sudan” said Keith Khoza. 

The Revitalised Agreement which was signed back in 2018 will provide the guidelines for the peace process, the main priorities of this agreement include the construction of an entirely new constitution, transitional security agreements, as well as preparations of the 2026 elections which will take place in December.

 “The Deputy President will therefore utilise the opportunity during his working visit, to assess progress on the status of Implementation of revitalised agreement” said Khoza. 

The Peace Agreement has been holding off the state of warfare since 2018 which is now crumbling due to Vice President Riek Machar being charged with treason.

 However lawmaker, Joseph Malwal Dong expressed that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLMO-IO) would support the South Sudanese Vice President who serves as the party’s leader, in terms of legal means.

 Dong has also accused President Salva Kiir Mayardi of being responsible for obstructing the peace deal by sidelining the party from the process by dismissing key ministers and MPs without any consultation.

 “They have done the same in the Parliament, they have been dismissing people and appointing people without our concern. That means the government is not interested in implementing or respecting the agreement,” said Dong.

 Deputy President Mashatile will embark on the visit with several high government officials.